1976 Friuli earthquake

1976 Friuli earthquake

Ljubljana
Date	May 6, 1976
Origin time	20:00
Magnitude	6.5 Mw[1]
Depth	10 km (6.2 mi)[1]
Epicenter	46°22′N 13°19′E / 46.37°N 13.32°ECoordinates: 46°22′N 13°19′E / 46.37°N 13.32°E[1]
Type	Dip-slip[2]
Areas affected	Italy Yugoslavia
Max. intensity	X (Extreme)[3]
Foreshocks	4.5 Mb May 6 at 19:59[4]
Casualties	900–978 dead[2] 1700–2400 injured[2]

The 1976 Friuli earthquake, also known in Italy as Terremoto del Friuli (Friulian earthquake), took place in the Friuli region in northeast Italy on May 6. The quake was centered on the town of Gemona del Friuli, measured 6.5 on the moment magnitude scale, and killed up to 978 people, injured 2400, and left 157,000 homeless.

Earthquake

The quake struck at 21:00:12 (20:00:12 UTC). Seventy seven villages in the Friuli region were affected. Gemona del Friuli was greatly damaged and despite extensive emergency measures and international aid by the end of 1976 15000 people were still living in camping trailers, 1000 in tents and 25000 in evacuation centres. The damage was estimated at $4.25 million.^[5] Much of the town has since been reconstructed. The tremor was felt in Venice as well as neighboring Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia (at the time SFR Yugoslavia). In Slovenia, the upper Soča valley and the Brda area was particularly affected, with the village of Breginj nearly completely demolished. The earthquake damaged several buildings in Nova Gorica and was felt also in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.

USGS ShakeMap showing the intensity of the 1976 Friuli earthquake

The Italian Government nominated Chamber of Deputies member Giuseppe Zamberletti as coordinator of aid efforts on behalf of the regional administration. The national funds were assigned to the reconstruction of the damaged buildings by Zamberletti and the regional council of Friuli Venezia Giulia. From September to December 1976 all the earthquake victims were accommodated into prefabricated buildings, in order to better cope with the winter. After Zamberletti's mandate the regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia was able to completely rebuild many towns, thanks to an accurate resource management. Nowadays, many years after the tragedy, the earthquake management and reconstruction in Friuli Venezia Giuia is seen as a great example of efficiency and reliability.

Aftershocks

There were many aftershocks with the two sets of strong shocks on 11 September (16:31, 5.5 M_sand 16:35, 5.4 M_s) and again on 15 September (3:15, 6.0 M_s and 9:21, 5.9 M_s) 1976.^[4]

Aftermath

This event also spurred the foundation of the Protezione Civile (the Italian Civil Defense body that deals with nationwide prevention and management of emergencies and catastrophic events).

References

1. ISC (2015), ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1900-2009), Version 2.0, International Seismological Centre
2. USGS (September 4, 2009), PAGER-CAT Earthquake Catalog, Version 2008_06.1, United States Geological Survey
3. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS), Significant Earthquake Database, National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA, doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
4. Cipar, John (1980), "Teleseismic observations of the 1976 Friuli, Italy earthquake sequence", Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (Seismological Society of America) 70 (4): 966
5. Wainwright, John; Thornes, John B. (2003). Environmental Issues in the Mediterranean. Routledge. p. 22. ISBN 978-0203495490.

External links

• 1976: More bodies found after Italy quake – BBC